Dogs

[robbotis]

robbotis - our neighbors have a black lab who is just the mellowest dog ever. They have 4 and 2 year old kids who ride him like a horse and he just wags his tail. He is also good with other dogs - we've kept him several times when they've gone out of towen and he's best buds with our 2 wiener dogs

They also just got a lab puppy. Her energy level is incredibly high plus she wants to chew everything.

I highly recommend labs but I would probably get an adult rescue over a puppy.

Thanks for the info. Labs are definetly on the list.
I would love to rescue a uoung adult dog. But, I know it's hard to tell how those adult dogs were treated at their prior home or if they had kids around. I know some of the rescue dogs can have issues, if they were mistreated...

I'll probably get a rescue dog, but in puppy form. I'll be unemployed in a few weeks and have time to spend w/ a puppy and potty train, etc...

[Molly]

They also just got a lab puppy. Her energy level is incredibly high plus she wants to chew everything.

[Molly]

From tobasco in the awesome gilf thread:

[JL21]

[Freed Roger]

They also just got a lab puppy. Her energy level is incredibly high plus she wants to chew everything.

That's about right. And they have eyebrows and very expressive faces. So when they destroy something, they get owner to anthropomorphize (whatever the [expletive] that is and spelled) in a cute way. Then if you berate them or throw something at it, they act like you just crushed them. Master ingratiators.

So yeay, Labs - fairly intelligent, loyal, and will generally allow your kids to play with them in whatever way the kid wishes.
But man are they strong. If you don't leash train them, or in my case let the leash training go - then only a strong person can walk them. And you had better have a dog park, field access, or you will have to walk that dog a lot - unless it gets hip dysplasia or you plan on feeding him table food and making him fat.

Currently our lab is ten, and he's having some stomach issues as well as become nocturnal -sleeps all the hours I'm gone so he can raise hell when I'm home. Couple the stomach problems Big Galoot's obsession over me -and I'm walking that dog at 5:30AM and 11pm this time of year -in addition to waking up 3 4 times in the night to let him outside because he's running around the house acting like his bladder is about ready to explode.

So yeah - if your going have a pet. Get a dog. And if it's a dog - make it a lab (or a good mixbreed with lab in it). I'm a dog person, but I can't recommend anyone else becoming one. At least at this part of the year.

[Freed Roger]

The Galoot got into it with some critter last fall - in the wooded area by our park. He had to have his side shaved for stitches, drains, and take meds for infection, and was supposed to wear an Elizabethan collar to keep him from the wounds. Well that collar with dog that size - he was knocking [expletive] over all over the [expletive] place. And he had this pathetic look on his face. So we cheated on the collar and he infected his wounds and needed more meds.

I told the family that once/if he got better I would take him backpacking again in national forest. I swear, the dog Knows this. He's better now and peers at me every morning - sometimes his nose inches from my face as I awaken in the AM - He's saying "Is this the Day!Is this the Day!Is this the Day!Is this the Day!Is this the Day!" I swear.

[Freed Roger]

Then there was the time I was thawing 10 pound brisket to smoke for a party....

Did you know that labs are about 5 feet tall on their hind legs.

[Freed Roger]

Then we have the party, and we've got him couped up in my daughter's bedroom and he [expletive] all over the place sick from the brisket. Fun cleanup there with guests over.

[jim]

Well, my cat died last week, and now we'll be getting a dog in the next month or two.
I know I discussed on here a Bulldog.
But man, I've been looking and they're all between $1800-$3000. Being out of a job soon, I can safely say, I won't be getting a bulldog puppy!

I guess to the rescue shelter I go. I just worry about getting a breed or tempermant that isn't good w/ children. Any recommendations dog peeps?

I don't know if Golden Retrievers or Labradors are bigger dogs then you're wanting but they always make good pets and great with kids. Only problem is they get a bit mischievous in their puppy years.

My yellow lab stayed in her puppy years until she was 10. I'm not kidding. They are GREAT dogs, I loved my Dizzy so much and do not regret getting her for one second. But....

- They shed like you wouldn't believe. It's awful. Dizzy has been gone for 3 months now and I'm still finding the hair.

- The energy levels really can be off the charts. I've seen actually pretty mellow labs, but ours was just a giant bundle of energy and she kept it until she was about 10. The expression "The only good lab is a tired lab" needs to be taken to heart. If you aren't prepared to spend significant time helping them burn that energy off you are going to pay.

- Dizzy was small - 65 lbs - but even at that size when you combine it with the energy levels you are going to have destruction and injuries. Unavoidable. Dizzy never hurt a person on purpose in her life, was incapable of doing so, but she more than once knocked a kid right off of his feet.

- They like to run. They like people. They like new places. They like to run away with new people to new places. You better secure the perimeter or you will be putting an ad in the paper.

They aren't for everyone, but they are great for the right person.

Dizzy relaxing after helping me shovel out of a big snowstorm in 2011 ...

[Mary1966]

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/book ... ernet.html

Cats rule the Internet, says this article, but dogs are more popular in print. So I will give a post to the Dogs thread in their honor.